Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
Kathy and I have just returned from vacation in Florida. My family has lived in or near the
Gainesville area since 1965. So while in
Florida we got to spend time with and enjoy many activities with family
members. Almost daily we spent time with
my dad. I saw all 3 brothers and my
sister and their families. We were
present for a graduation and in times of medical treatment. We saw nieces and nephews. Kathy and I returned home feeling blessed and
thankful for our family.
On Saturday, May 6, we were at a larger family gathering
where 16 people shared a picnic meal and just enjoyed time together. I heard my sister or one of my sisters-in-law
say, “Mom would be happy. She liked it
when family got together.” My mom has
been in heaven since January of 2011, but we still remember her love for her
family, and we still remember her in times like this. You should have seen my mom’s face light up
when everyone was at their home for Christmas, or other big events.
I would go a step further to share about another mom I
know quite well, my wife, Kathy. Kathy
also really enjoys it when family is together.
But I think that, even more than enjoying time together in our home,
Kathy especially cherishes times when all of her children and grandchildren are
together with her in worship. I can see
the beaming smile on her face, and sometimes catch a tear of joy in her
eyes. My wife loves her children and
grandchildren, and prays God’s blessings for them regularly. To share that love of God with family is a
real treat.
This Sunday is Mothers’ Day. We will talk in worship about Timothy’s mom
and grandmother, Eunice and Lois. As we
read Paul’s second letter to young Pastor Timothy, we hear this word of
encouragement from Paul to Timothy. “5 I have
been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For
this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you
through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:5-6) Notice that
Timothy’s faith in Jesus first lived in Lois and Eunice and was passed down to
him from his grandmother and his mother.
There is no greater love mothers share than when they share God’s
eternal love in Jesus.
Later in this same book Paul further encourages Timothy,
“14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the
holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Paul is not only here encouraging Timothy to continue in
faith, but also encouraging him to remember his grandmother and his mother who
taught him about Jesus. Their purpose,
and Paul’s goal, is that Timothy was saved for eternal life in heaven through
faith in God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus.
Christian faith is precious because God uses faith to
give us the eternal blessings He won for us in Jesus’ dying and rising. But, trusting in God’s love in a world of
hate and selfishness and violence is difficult.
We need help to believe. That is
why God gives us His Word (read further in 2 Timothy 3), the Sacraments, and
His Church. Trusting in God’s love is
difficult. We need help to believe. So God gives mothers and fathers, brothers and
sisters, committed Christians and friends who share how God has been with them
through difficult times so that we can also trust God when trusting is tough.
Do you have a mother who shared Jesus with you? Thank God for this wonderful gift, and let
your mom know how much you appreciate her if she is still alive.
Are you a mom or a grandmother? Take time to share God’s amazing love with
your children and grandchildren as you are able.
Last Sunday Kathy and I were in worship with my dad at
First Lutheran Church where I had grown up.
He sits in the back of the church because he says, “Sometimes other
family comes to worship. So if I sit
here they can sit with me.” We were in
line for communion when we had a pleasant surprise. My dad’s granddaughter, and our niece, Sarah,
whom we had not yet seen, stepped out of the cry room into line with us so we
could take the Lord’s Supper together.
She had her son Nathan and daughter Abigail with her. I confess that my eyes got misty as together
we shared together in receiving God’s love and forgiveness. I think I can speak to Sarah and repeat
Paul’s words to Timothy, only with other names.
“5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your
grandmother [Betty] and in your mother [Jan] and, I am persuaded, now lives in
you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you . . .”
May God bless those in your family with saving faith in
Jesus. And. may you be reminded of
mothers and grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers, and other faithful
Christians who have shared Jesus with you.
A Child of God,
Thankful for a Mom Who Believed in Jesus,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. Here are some more pictures from our time
with family in Florida. https://goo.gl/photos/sY1HDrb1d1jS79G87
P.P.S. While “Thoughts from the Pastor” is primarily
intended for the members and friends of St. John, it has also been printed weekly
in our local newspaper, The Frontiersman, for almost 6 years. The Frontiersman has recently had
changes. In order for this week’s
devotion to get in this week’s paper, I am attempting to get these devotions
out at the beginning of each week to make a new Wednesday deadline. So, you are receiving this message a little
earlier this week, and hopefully in the future.
******
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE
PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to
all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am regularly
adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this
e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this
e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for
this message.
******
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